𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞
It’s a longstanding expression that shouts to the world our sense of nationalism especially when we set foot on a global podium. It is an assertion that Filipinos are, well, proud of our culture and heritage; to bring glory to the flag and country is a daily driver for some of us, including athletes that are all too willing to sacrifice the axiomatic blood, sweat and tears to shine internationally.
The Philippines has always been a melting pot of talents. As an archipelago with more than 7,000 islands, this diversity is at the center of cultivating potential names, whether in sports, entertainment, politics and all forms of art, among others. This aspiration to wear our national colors, be in the spotlight and eventually land on social media stories, newspaper front pages, billboards and soda cans push the average Juan de la Cruz to their boundaries in pursuit of excellence.
𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
There’s no question that Filipinos find it appealing to represent something that we hold close to our hearts: our school, barangay, organization, LGU, sports team and the country as the tip of the representation iceberg. This deep sense of nationalism and identity to embody the three stars and the sun is a privilege only for the chosen few.
But then again, this opportunity also comes with a somewhat heavy responsibility to carry the hopes and dreams of an entire nation. Fans also like a telenovela story of their favorite athletes: Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz and the current golden boy of Philippine gymnastics Carlos Yulo have all experienced the “started from the bottom, now we’re here” part of their lives and are now inspiring young Filipinos to train harder, work harder and be resilient despite the many challenges the country is facing.
𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐄
Again, collective pride for all Filipinos, even if they only have a pinch of it. It’s not every day that we get to see a Pinoy’s hand being raised in global sporting spectacles like the Olympics or the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG). But when it happens, the entire Philippines drop whatever they are doing and celebrate in unison as if we’ve just won the Grand Lottery.
This alone is a statement that showcases the strength and perseverance of the Filipino athlete and its impact to the country. Their victory is our victory. Their medal is our medal. This plus the fact that they can go head-to-head with the mainstays and superior athletes makes the win sweeter.
𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐒
Their success and time in the global limelight have also led to an increase in LGUs to look for new talents at the grassroots level. Aspiring athletes from all walks of life are allowed to follow in the footprints of their heroes and the possibility to wave the Philippine flag and have a gold medal around their necks.
This is also one of the reasons why local government units, private institutions and groups are on a constant roll in organizing local races, tapping schools, creating sporting facilities and becoming proactive in advocating health and wellness.
Whether they’re free, charge a minimum amount or donations, these competitions are necessary to promote future athletes, build a community of like-minded people, and offer mentoring and exposure to future events that could help gain an upper hand.
National athletes are role models in their own right. Their stories inspire many, their triumph over adversity is made for Hollywood and them being Filipinos take these to a whole new level that most of us could relate and say, “I feel you.”
On the overall, Pinoy Pride is not just for athletes. It’s for all of us who share the same vision to propel our country to greater heights. It’s not an overnight success, though, but with hard work, prayer and determination, we’ll get to where we want to be.
